Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Commencement Address | Harvard Commencement 2017

Harvard University17 minutes read

Mark Zuckerberg gives a speech at Harvard, reflecting on his time there, emphasizing the importance of purpose in creating a world where everyone feels fulfilled and advocating for equality and community building. He shares personal anecdotes, lessons from his journey with Facebook, and encourages taking on ambitious projects collectively, aiming to foster a sense of purpose and inclusivity in society.

Insights

  • Mark Zuckerberg stresses the importance of finding purpose, advocating for a world where everyone can feel a sense of meaning in their lives, emphasizing the significance of creating a higher purpose for oneself and others.
  • Zuckerberg outlines practical steps to achieve a purpose-driven world, including engaging in significant projects, redefining equality to allow freedom in pursuing goals, and building a global community, encouraging collective efforts towards ambitious projects while starting with local connections to foster a sense of purpose and stability.

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Recent questions

  • What did Mark Zuckerberg discuss at Harvard?

    Purpose, creating a higher purpose, fostering a sense of purpose.

  • How did Mark Zuckerberg encourage equality?

    Redefining equality, freedom to pursue purpose, safety net.

  • What historical examples did Mark Zuckerberg mention?

    Moon landing, polio eradication, ambitious projects collectively.

  • How did Mark Zuckerberg emphasize the importance of community?

    Building global community, creating local communities, fostering connections.

  • What personal experiences did Mark Zuckerberg share?

    Memories at Harvard, first lecture incident, teaching entrepreneurship.

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Summary

00:00

"Zuckerberg's Harvard Speech: Purpose and Equality"

  • Mark Zuckerberg addresses President Faust, Board of Overseers, faculty, alumni, friends, parents, ad board members, and graduates of Harvard, expressing his honor to be present.
  • Zuckerberg humorously acknowledges his inability to complete anything at Harvard, congratulating the Class of 2017.
  • Recalling his Harvard days, Zuckerberg reminisces about receiving the email of acceptance while playing Civilization.
  • He shares memories of his first lecture at Harvard, highlighting a humorous incident with his t-shirt and meeting Priscilla.
  • Zuckerberg discusses the importance of purpose, emphasizing the need for a world where everyone feels a sense of purpose.
  • Reflecting on his journey with Facebook, Zuckerberg stresses the significance of creating a higher purpose for oneself and others.
  • Zuckerberg outlines three ways to foster a world where everyone has a sense of purpose: engaging in significant projects, redefining equality, and building global community.
  • He encourages taking on ambitious projects collectively, citing historical examples like the moon landing and polio eradication.
  • Zuckerberg advocates for redefining equality to allow everyone the freedom to pursue their purpose, addressing wealth inequality and the need for a safety net.
  • He emphasizes the importance of giving back, mentioning the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the commitment to promoting equal opportunity.

20:16

"Harvard grad teaches entrepreneurship to middle schoolers"

  • Priscilla, a Harvard graduate turned teacher, encouraged the speaker to teach a middle school entrepreneurship program despite his busy schedule running a company.
  • Lessons on product development and marketing were taught by the speaker, while the students shared their experiences of being targeted for their race and having family members in prison.
  • The speaker has been having monthly dinners with the students for five years, with one student even throwing a baby shower for the speaker and Priscilla.
  • The importance of building a global community is emphasized, with the idea that every generation expands the circle of people considered "one of us" to encompass the entire world.
  • The speaker highlights the need to create local communities to foster a sense of purpose and stability, emphasizing that even global changes start small with individuals building connections.
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